First Tractor Implement...Build.

[BigBoyToys]

Well I really needed a landscape rake and didn't feel like dropping a grand or more into one. I had 40 yards of loam to move and spread out, with another 40 being delivered today. I knew it would be a necessity! After looking at a few builds here and pictures from different manufactures online...I came up with my design. Fortunately I had a nice piece of 5/16" angle left over from a racking system from work. It was 5' 9" long and was close enough to the 6' rake I was looking to build. I had enough 3/16" x 2 1/2" tubing so all I needed to buy were the tines, cat 1 hitch pins and a bunch of bolts. AG Supply had the best prices on the tines so I ended up buying almost everything I needed from them. Got the bolts from the local Tractor Supply. The drilling took the most time followed by the metal cutting. Got to use it this past weekend and was VERY happy with the results. The only problem is I didn't make the arms for the guide wheels long enough. I had a piece of 1/4" x 1 1/2" tubing hanging around which I cut in half knowing it would be short, but figured I could take care of that later as they just bolt on. It would be "good enough" to use for now pulling the rake forward. Other than that it worked like a champ.

Thanks to everyone here that posted their rake builds.
This site is GREAT!!! :thumbsup:

Here's a few pictures of the build...

 

[k0ua]

Dang! I am impressed. You are a skilled builder.:thumbsup:

 

[BigBoyToys]

Dang! I am impressed. You are a skilled builder.:thumbsup:

Thanks...I don't know about that, I think I'm a better "COPIER"!!! :laughing:

 

[Gary Fowler]

Well after buying all the tines and other materials, how much did you save? How about if you figured in new cost for all the materials that you used that were just hanging around (if you had to buy the whole lot) and include some amount for your labor, welding materials, drill bits and electricity? Was the savings that great. I contemplated building some things but the cost of materials alone was usually more than I could buy the completed product for.
By the way, in 2010 when I bought my LS, I also got a 6 foot landscape rake for $500 out the door. I suppose inflation has gotten to them in 6 years to double the cost if they are now a grand.

 

[BigBoyToys]

Well after buying all the tines and other materials, how much did you save?

Well the tines were $3 ea and I bought 36 so there's $108. Shipping was free though my work account. The other materials, bolts and cat 1 mounts were around $60. New tubing and misc stock would have been somewhere around $50. So all said and done I would probably be looking at around $220 dollars. Sanding discs, welding wire and gas...call it $250. Sure my time is worth something, but **** it's better than watching the "Voice" with my wife!!!

You could find a decent 6' rake for around $6-700 but it was another $2-300 for the guide wheels. That's the $1K I thew out there.
Besides I like building stuff.

 

[Burtonbr]

Good looking rake, looks very sturdy. , did you make the guide wheel forks or buy them, I need to make a set of wheels for my rake.

 

[k0ua]

It is not just the money saved it is the joy and pride of building it yourself, as well as the acquisition and continual honing of his skills. Builders are more well rounded people that can do more and more as their confidence and skills continue to build thru the act of building.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

 

[Mysfyt]

It is not just the money saved it is the joy and pride of building it yourself, as well as the acquisition and continual honing of his skills. Builders are more well rounded people that can do more and more as their confidence and skills continue to build thru the act of building.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

I'll second that!

If you ask me how much I saved by building it myself, my reply is how much do fishermen or hunters save on their meat and fish versus buying it at a store? Its about fun! For me its not about saving money, its about the challenge and reward of saying hey, I built that myself.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

It is not just the money saved it is the joy and pride of building it yourself, as well as the acquisition and continual honing of his skills. Builders are more well rounded people that can do more and more as their confidence and skills continue to build thru the act of building.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

X3! Well done.

Can you update later on the durability? I'm thinking about adding wheels to my rake. The way you did it would be straightforward and elegant. I'm wondering about the forces thoes arms will take when the tines catch a root or something and force the rake towards the ground. There's a lot of leverage on thoes arm joints. Definitely not a critique I am hoping that it works well.

 

[BigBoyToys]

Good looking rake, looks very sturdy. , did you make the guide wheel forks or buy them, I need to make a set of wheels for my rake.

I made them. Pretty basic setup. Three pieces of steel and a 3/4" rod. I just cut the sides at 45* and squared off the edge to be flush with the top piece. Drilled a 3/4" hole for the rod and welded it in place. I bought the tires at Tractor Supply. They're the airless ones. I ran short on some steel pipe so I used PVC pipe for my spacers. Cut a few 1" and a 1/2" to adjust the height. They work great and I think they'll be permanent! There's a hole drilled at the top of the rod with a "hitch pin" to keep it in place when the rake is lifted. I found the trick is to adjust the top link to get the rake to sit fairly level when it's "running".